A CONWOMAN who tricked her way to more than £120 worth of goods from service stations has kept her freedom.

Burnley Magistrates heard ex-convict and drug addict Joanne Bowden, 30, was using cocaine and heroin when she wrote out cheques, knowing there was no cash in her account to cover them.

Bowden, who was released from jail in August and is the mother of a young son, struck twice at one garage in Nelson where she used to work.

Bowden, of Board Street, Burnley, admitted four counts of obtaining property by deception between June 3 and 14. She was given 150 hours community service.

Bowden was told by the bench chairman Janet Pickup her behaviour had been repetitive and she had known exactly what she was doing.

Mrs Pickup said in the past the defendant had shown little regard for community orders but had promised to complete the community punishment.

The chairman went on: "If you breach the order, you will be in serious trouble."

The court was told police made enquiries and arrested the defendant.

She told officers she had been using cocaine and heroin at the time and needed money for that reason.

Glen Smith, defending, said Bowden, who came out of jail on August 29, had been dependent on drugs for some time.

Her parents were supportive although they did not condone her behaviour and they helped with her little boy Jack.

The defendant was now drug free and was determined to stay that way.

She felt on her release some sort of rehabilitation support would have helped.

Bowden was working although finances were extremely tight.